I do not know, nor do any of the day or the hour, but we all see the storm.  Its massive black clouds linger, edging in from the horizon of humanity.  Will we embrace the signs as we were told to prepare in service for His second coming, for His retrieval of His bride the Church?  Will I be found doing the work He set before me, fostering preparation for the harvest, watering, weeding, fertilizing and praying for the harvest?  When dark is coming we look for the light.  Will we each ask to find our lamps full of the fuel necessary to find our path through the blackest night if that be the point of His return?  Are we each of us sealed for eternity by the Earnest of our Salvation the Holy Spirit of God, marking us for His calling?  Do we find ourselves clear that His return must be soon because of the rapid state of advancing decay, corruption and penchant for war, pestilence and wickedness, found through God’s Creation?

Are we all that self-concerned that we will not do any preparation for eternity?  There is not a single one of us, having a work deadline, who would neglect preparation so that we might keep our jobs or foster our personal advancement.  There is not one of us, having a pregnant spouse who would ignore the necessary preparation of Fatherhood, responsibility and financial requirement.  There is not one of us who would forget to chop wood for winter, knowing that without it we would fail to survive the impending cold.  How then may we continue to excuse the greatest preparation in each of our lives, the return of God for the Church and His Coming Reign?  Perhaps we have given into the pressures of acceptance by this world, not wanting to be excluded, labeled or considered strange by them from whom we crave love?  Maybe we have failed to deliver a message of which we have been made courier, handler, herald and ambassador because the prices of exclusion and retribution?  Or perhaps we have simply delayed in our disobedience or disbelief, hoping that somehow someone from humanity would produce resolution for our impossible problems?  Whatever the cause none may ignore the coming storm for to do so is making the choice from which there is no recovery, denying the voice of the Holy Spirit upon each of our hearts.

Face the storm, whatever its fury, knowing that Christ said we are going to the other side together.  Do the work that He has placed upon each of us individually, remaining free from bitterness, corruption or remorse.  Rejoice for the Kingdom of God is here. Right here in each of our hearts willing to sacrifice for Him as He did for each of us.  Know the storm, face the storm and love the storm for its power and significance in announcing the imminent return of Christ.  Do not be found unaware, unprepared, unwilling or asleep, being left out in darkness of weeping and gnashing teeth.  I pray we awake as a combined a committed church to face the storm we all see soon coming.  In Jesus’ Name.